Teacher by James Eric Riley

James Eric Riley did not set out to be a teacher. The dream was to be an actor via a number of different jobs. But when a skating accident causes an injury that puts one of those jobs and thus the income in jeopardy, he realises that stability is what he needs. And since teaching offers paid holiday and paid sick leave, that’s the way to go.

 

But what he couldn’t have foreseen was being placed in a Special Education class where the Emotionally Disturbed students are a lot more challenging. No amount of training could prepare him for the type of teaching involved, as well as being able to field the profanity and physical assaults he would be facing.

 

Being very careful to document any altercations, one day he is faced with a worse-than-usual interaction and the evidence and statements to back him up seem to be intentionally ignored. With his job and possibly career on the line, is the system failing him or are there people out there with ulterior motives?

 

This whole story and the incidents were eye-openers for me. We never had classes like this where I went to school and indeed it was a case of “Yes, Ma’am,” or “Yes, Sir,” and no one contemplated lifting a hand to the teacher. So to be shown what some teachers go through elsewhere, was horrifying. How is a person supposed to defend themselves from a physical attack when they aren’t allowed to do anything?

 

And then the deviousness of the authorities in dealing with the case. How could all the evidence be presented and cast aside? How could pertinent facts be overlooked? How could statements be hidden because of personal feelings? In fact, at one point I didn’t want to carry on reading because of the evil ill will that came across.

 

But while the story heads in a positive direction, I was a little annoyed at where it ended as it felt unfinished. The writing, however, felt authentic and I was experiencing what he was experiencing. This made the story flow quickly and it never felt forced or preached.

 

To the teachers out there who deal with this on a daily basis and actually want to help their students with their education, I take my hat off to you.

Thanks to Loudhailer Books and the author for the opportunity to review the book.